Carleen (Kelley) Joyce, 62 of Whitman, MA was a caring and devoted wife, mother, nana, sister, and friend, who died from complications of her brave battle with lung cancer on October 27, 2020. She passed away in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family and friends. All who knew Carleen will remember her sense of humor, her dedication to caring for others, her warm connections with her grandchildren, and her generous and beautiful spirit.
Carleen was born in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late David and Claire Kelley. She was close with her siblings growing up, and the bonds she shared with them were unbreakable, stretching through the years and also over great distances. Carleen was proud of her many years of employment with Settles Glass, where she worked as a Branch Manager before moving on to other jobs in the glass industry and sales.
But Carleen found the most rewarding experiences at home, with her family, making sure others were well taken care of and happy. Carleen's daughters were her pride and joy. Five grandchildren — James, Norah, Logan, Lukas and Keira — loved Carleen with all their hearts, and know they have a guardian angel who will be watching over them from Heaven (and they will think of her when they see the first butterfly of Spring).
Of all the people Carleen loved, she was especially connected to one in particular: her husband, Jim. She was truly proud of the many glorious years she spent married to him (this was “Quite an accomplishment!”, she used to say), and how the two seemed to grow closer year after year. There were the years as new parents (with vacations to New Hampshire and weekends spent in the backyard by the pool); then the years after the kids grew up and moved away when the house was quiet; and then, at long last, the years when (grand)children returned and played and ran and bounded up and down the stairs, squealing and fighting and pushing each other out of the way for second helpings of Nana’s mud pie. And now, there will be the years when all those who loved Carleen will come together to share the warm, fond memories of her—to laugh, cry, and remember her fondly.
Carleen was a woman who journeyed with hope in her final days to find God’s love. Her family was deeply moved and proud of this journey, and believed it to be courageous, honest and rich with meaning for her.
Carleen is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Jim Joyce of Whitman, MA; her daughter, Jen Kallinicos and her husband Rob and children James, Norah, and Keira of Fayetteville, NY; her daughter Katie Joyce and her partner Dennis Renzi and children Logan and Lukas of Pawtucket, RI; her sister Annmarie (Brett) Chapman of Missoula, MT, brothers David (Sandy) Kelley of South Weymouth, MA, Michael (Terry) Kelley of Halifax, MA, and Billy (Trish) Kelley of Marshfield, MA, nieces and nephews; and many cherished and beloved long-time friends.
The family is grateful for the teams of nurses, doctors, and support staff who participated in her care (especially those at Old Colony Hospice), and for Father Tom Stanton, of Holy Ghost parish—all of whom helped Carleen find peace in her final days.
Family and friends invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, November 5th, 2020, from 4-7 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 at the rotary circle), Whitman. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all other services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carleen’s memory to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation: https://lcfamerica.org.